IT’S the saga that has been going on since May, and it’s just taken another turn that will carry into the start of the Premier League season.

Virgil van Dijk has made official, and public, his desire to leave Southampton – submitting a transfer request before releasing a strongly worded statement admitting his “frustration” at his transfer limbo.

Four of the biggest Premier League clubs have already been linked with moves, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said it’s “certain” the Dutch centre back will be on the move this window.

“He has put in a transfer request and I think that probably suits Southampton. Let’s be honest, I was there for a short time, Southampton are a selling club. If you have any ambition to be a top player you leave Southampton.

“Victor Wanyama, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana, everybody else has gone. They paid £13m to Celtic for Van Dijk and they will get close to £60m, they will get a fortune for him.

“I don’t blame Virgil one bit. This is what happens in football. He will already know how much he could get at Liverpool, how much he could get at Chelsea, this is what happens in football.

“He has probably already spoken to the managers. He could probably earn three or four times his Southampton money at Liverpool or Chelsea, so why wouldn’t you want to go and play for a better club?”

PODCAST: The season is officially underway! Daniel Garb and David Weiner run through the major Premier League talking points ahead of the kick-off this weekend.

Virgil van Dijk has submitted a transfer request.Source: Getty Images

Redknapp added: “The last thing you want is a rotten apple in the dressing room, especially with a new manager. He does not want Van Dijk causing problems.

“Pellegrino wants to know who’s on board and who wants to play for him so the quicker they resolve this issue, the quicker they can get a couple of players in.

“I don’t see any way Virgil van Dijk is a Southampton player once this window closes.”

The Van Dijk saga, should he leave in a reported £60m (AU$99m) move could have a huge impact on the Premier League title race.

Here are the clubs linked to the player at the centre of the biggest transfer saga of the Premier League summer...

ARSENAL

There was a telling image as the camera panned to Arsenal’s injured stars during the Community Shield. Sitting in the Wembley stands were Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Alongside them were Gabriel, Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi. When Per Mertesacker went down with injury, there were even more concerns for centre back options.

New signing Sead Kolasinac made an impact off the bench but this was a Gunners back three marshalled by Nacho Monreal – traditionally a left fullback, with youngster Rob Holding on the other side.

Arsenal have a lot of numbers in their squad, but few of the undoubted quality that would make rivals envious. If they were to sign Van Dijk, they wouldn’t just be strengthening themselves, they’d also send a big blow north to expected top four rivals Liverpool.

It could be the difference to put them back into the top four.

Virgil Van Dijk during his Celtic days.Source: Getty Images

CHELSEA

Things aren’t rosy at Chelsea.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has gone as far to suggest he can’t see Antonio Conte being at the club in 12 months. The Italian has been unhappy with the transfer activity so far this window and wants to make some major moves to bolster his squad in their PL title defence.

Luring the 26-year-old Dutchman to London would immediately change the tone of discussion surrounding Chelsea’s off-season business. Part of the frustration is that the Blues have replaced but not strengthened the squad.

Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte.Source: AFP

Out has gone Nemanja Matic, replaced by Tiemoue Bakayoko. Diego Costa is likely to leave, with Alvaro Morata the new starting No.9. Antonio Rudiger has arrived from AS Roma, but with John Terry leaving and Kurt Zouma moving to Stoke on loan, Chelsea are still short at the back.

If Conte wants to avoid a ‘Mourinho season’ (from champions to sacked), Van Dijk’s arrival could be crucial.

LIVERPOOL

The Reds have already been forced into a public back down after Southampton accused the club of ‘tapping up’ Van Dijk in June. The Dutchman reportedly decided he only wanted to play under Jurgen Klopp, with the two seen meeting in Blackpool.

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp.Source: AFP

Liverpool are still favourites to sign Van Dijk, particularly after handing in a transfer request, with the club getting more desperate to pull off another major off-season signing.

Van Dijk would have a huge impact on the defence of Liverpool, a team which shipped 42 goals last season. To put that into context, only Arsenal conceded more goals from the top six.

A big part of Liverpool’s rockiness at the back was injuries to Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, with the first choice centre back pairing looking imperious when together. But that didn’t happen consistently enough – back up option Ragnar Klavan played 20 Premier League matches, far too many for a team wanting to again threaten the title contenders.

Van Dijk joining Liverpool – turning down the offers from elsewhere – would immediately act as a statement signing and offer the added depth needed to juggle Champions League commitments.

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola is already the biggest spending coach this off-season.

He’s splashed ludicrous coin on three fullbacks, a goalkeeper and two midfielders. Where he hasn’t strengthened is at the heart of defence.

Virgil van Dijk against Manchester City.Source: Getty Images

Injury prone Vincent Kompany still leads the list of first team City centre backs, which includes gaffe-prone John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala, who spent last season out on loan and has been linked to PSG and Lyon.

Earlier reports claimed City were “put off” by Southampton’s £70m asking price for Van Dijk but their spend this off-season demonstrates the willingness to spend big on the right target.

Van Dijk would act as a big name player who can immediately strengthen the area that requires the most attention at City. Entering his prime now, he would also go some way to revitalising an ageing squad to once again challenge for the biggest titles.